I want to start writing a book , and I dont know how. What are the steps on how to start writting my own book. 05/11/07

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Every writer is different in their organization patterns. Some need a detailed outline in which to work from, others start defining characters and then building a story around them, others jot information on note cards and keep them in a file box and try to build information before they start, still others just start writing and see where it takes them. Find your way of organizing, find your story, and then put it down. It will be refined many times before it is ready to "go out the door" and try to be published. The best thing to do is to just start. Also -- you might want to look in your area for a Writing Group if you want critique. This can be a good resource, if the group is honest and not full of ego, etc. Some writers can't stand to have their work critiqued until it's finished, so it really is up to your comfort level, but it might be helpful to have objective readers if you find you get stuck somewhere in the middle of your book. Good luck!

Some writers outline first. Some writers write by the seat of their pants. But all writers start out with: basic plot, a subplot, main characters and their motivations. I'd recommend taking some book on writing out of the library. I'd highly recommend Stephen King's ON WRITING, Noah Lukeman's THE FIRST FIVE PAGES, and the book SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS. Read a lot, that's the best way to learn what works and what doesn't. And just keep writing. Most writers don't get their first book published. Most writers' first books are like "practice books" which they learned a lot from. You'll need a lot of determination. What works for a lot of writer's is a system. For instance, I have to write 1,000 words a day. Or, I can't get (insert something you want here) until I have 100 pages. Motivation works! Good luck. :)

I would begin with an outline. I don't tend to have very detailed outlines when I begin (I have a one or two page plot synopsis, though), but for many writers they benefit immensely from doing a thorough outline first. It really depends on how your brain works, but give it a shot and see if it helps! I would recommend reading as many books as possible in memoirs, as well as other genres that you like to write, plus books about the craft of writing. When you are reading memoirs and fiction books, pay attention to how the authors structure their work. Here are some of my favorites about writing (your local library should have most of them): 1) "Writing Down The Bones" by Natalie Goldberg 2) "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott 3) "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser 4) "How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy" by Orson Scott Card 5) "On Writing" by Stephen King 6) "No Plot? No Problem!" by Chris Baty 7) "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" by Lynne Truss 8) "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White Also, take a look at a few websites where authors gather. Some of them have very helpful articles and forums. Holly Lisle has a fantastic website that has articles on both the business and writing aspects: http://hollylisle.com/fm/ Forward Motion is a wonderful, helpful community: http://www.fmwriters.com/ Absolute Write is one of my favorite author communities, with a vast pool of resources and helpful people: http://www.absolutewrite.com Write every single day. Set a target for yourself. For instance, my goal right now is to write 1,000 words a day. I get this done before I go on the internet, read, watch TV, or goof around. To begin, maybe set an easier goal for yourself-- try 250 words each day. Write in a journal as well, if you feel so inclined! When you get ideas, find a way to record them as well. I have a spiral notebook that I keep just for that purpose. This way, when I want to begin a new project I can read through my notes and find just the right idea! Also, never forget how important it is to edit and rewrite! When you finish a short story or novel, I suggest setting it aside for a month. Don't look at it or think about it (if you can help it). Work on another project. Once that time has passed, go back and read what you wrote. Try to be objective-- are there parts that need to be expanded? Cut out? Rewritten? How is the grammar and spelling? Editing could (and should) take more time than the original draft! And keep practicing!

Brenda Novak has an on going charity auction going on, she along with a few other published authors are offering 6 months to 1 yr on going mentoring program for new writers. Why don't you support Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and learn how to write your novel. http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com Check the auction for suitable how to packages. I'd suggest one of these three. Brenda Novak Deluxe Mentoring and Networking Experience 6 Month Mentoring Program with Brianna Martini Writing Classes Offered by Celtic Hearts Romance Writers Good Luck TNM PS: Further inforamtion on personal writing mentoring is available for FREE and the complete mentoring course for new writers is FREE! Email Ms. Sandra for info.editorialdirectorwep@lycos.com

The writing of a good book cannot be planned. If a book is to be a work of art, it needs to come from your mind without being pulled. You need to build a large vocabulary, and have a meaningful topic to write about. The world is full of lousy books that come from outlined stories. Here is an excellent exercise: Get a pen and paper and write as fast as you can without changing anything along the way, a two page story about a place called Turtle Land. I'm dead serious. If you can do this, and come up with an entertaining bit, just keep doing the same thing with other stories. Make them longer and longer. Write in a frenzy until you can't write any more. If you are a true artist it will show on paper. Oh, and I would love to see your Turtle Land story if you care to e-mail it.